Suozzi Sworn In To Complete Santos Term In Congress

WASHINGTON, DC — Tom Suozzi was sworn in as congressman on Wednesday evening, officially putting to bed the George Santos scandal.

It was a rousing ovation from both sides of the aisle in welcoming Suozzi back to Congress from the Third Congressional District.

In remarks moments after taking the oath, Suozzi said he vowed to voters in Nassau and Queens to "deliver a simple message to this chamber: Wake up!"

In order to get things done, Suozzi declared, "We need less chaos and more common sense."

Suozzi said he's spoken to constituents who are Democrats, Republicans and Independents concerned about who's helping them.

"Enough with the theater and drama. Enough with the hyperbole and the histrionics. Enough with the shutdowns and the putdowns," Suozzi said. "The people aren’t paying us to make things worse. The people pay us to be in the solutions business."

Following Suozzi's victory against upstart county legislator Mazi Pilip, Speaker Mike Johnson said Suozzi ran the race like a Republican.

"I know you meant that as a compliment," he said Wednesday night. "Let me be clear Mr. Speaker, I'm a true blue, dyed-in-the-wool, Democrat. But more important, like you Mr. Speaker, and the men and women in this chamber, I'm a true blue, dyed-in-the-wool American."

Suozzi said reaching across the aisle is vital today to reach a bipartisan compromise for the border crisis, "because to not do so, will keep the border open, will endanger peace in Israel and will empower Vladmir Putin."

Suozzi challenged his House colleagues to use his swearing-in as a "fresh start... to break some of our bad habits," he said. "What if today we remembered why we ran for office in the first place."